DMCC vs Hamriyah Free Zone
Head-to-head comparison of Dubai Multi Commodities Centre (Dubai) and Hamriyah Free Zone Authority (Sharjah). Costs, visa caps, banking, and who each zone is built for.
Quick answer: Pick DMCC if you want trading. Pick Hamriyah Free Zone if you want industrial.
Cheaper Option
Hamriyah Free Zone
AED 10,500 starting
More Visas
DMCC
Up to 100 visas
DMCC is built for
- ▸Trading
- ▸Commodities
- ▸Crypto
- ▸Gold & precious metals
Hamriyah Free Zone is built for
- ▸Industrial
- ▸Oil & gas services
- ▸Trading
- ▸Warehousing
Who Should Pick DMCC?
DMCC is the UAE's largest and most prestigious free zone. Best suited for trading companies, commodities businesses, and firms needing strong international credibility.
- ✓Most recognized UAE free zone internationally
- ✓Strong trading ecosystem
- ✓Prime JLT location
- ✓Active business community
Who Should Pick Hamriyah Free Zone?
Hamriyah Free Zone offers deep-water port access and is a major hub for oil & gas services, industrial operations, and trading.
- ✓Deep-water port access
- ✓Industrial plots
- ✓Established 1995
- ✓Oil & gas ecosystem
Which Should You Choose?
If cost is the primary driver, Hamriyah Free Zone has the lower starting cost at AED 10,500 versus AED 34,000 for DMCC, a difference of AED 23,500 per year.
DMCC is built for: trading, commodities, crypto, gold & precious metals. Hamriyah Free Zone is built for: industrial, oil & gas services, trading, warehousing. The right zone is determined by your industry and the type of clients, partners, or regulators you need to deal with, not just the license cost.
Both zones offer 100% foreign ownership, zero personal income tax, and potential corporate tax efficiency under the Qualifying Free Zone Person (QFZP) rules. The practical differences lie in prestige, banking ease, visa flexibility, and the activities each zone supports.
Use the Business Setup Cost Calculator to model your total Year 1 cost including visas and office fees at either zone.
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